DeSantis Pitches Homestead Property Tax Cut on Statewide Tour as Rick Scott Withholds Support

Overview

• DeSantis, speaking Monday in Brevard County during a statewide tour, pushed relief for full‑time homeowners and pointed to local property tax collections rising from about $32 billion in 2019 to roughly $60 billion.
• The governor has not released bill language and said action would come after the state budget vote later this month, leaving the size of revenue losses and which services get shielded still unclear.
• Rick Scott declined to endorse the push on Monday and warned leaders to spell out how schools, transportation and environmental programs would be paid for if homestead taxes fall.
• DeSantis rejected new or higher taxes and floated temporary state grants for rural counties while keeping non‑homestead, commercial, rental and out‑of‑state owners in the tax base, with aides discussing phased timelines from one to six years.
• The proposal must win 60% support in both chambers by an August deadline to reach the 2026 ballot, where it would then need 60% voter approval after a similar House effort earlier this year stalled in the Senate.